Emal postcard #2 – Northern Rhone

Arrived in Tain H’Ermitage yesterday to the most amazing view of the might hill of Hermitage.

The mighty hill of Hermitage, overlooking the Rhone

Went to a tasting at M Chapoutier yesterday. Getting a bit bored of the slightly “round” whites in the Rhone now… Can’t wait for some acidity when we reach Chablis! However we were treated to a 2007 Le Meal Ermitage Blanc – that was a blockbuster but at €200 a pop a bit out of our league!! The reds though were superb. Favorites were the very easy drinking 2010 Crozes Hermitage and an especially good Hermitage 2009. It was so good I asked about the 2007 and he opened a bottle for us! Good luck if you’re invited to dinner when one of those gets opened!!

Went out for dinner overlooking the Rhone last night – good food but pretty crappy service! So another tasting today at Delas. One hell of a walk in this heat but certainly worth it. Similar types of wines to Chapoutier but some new favourites. First off was a St Joseph 2009, second was a Cornas 2007 – actually one of my favourite wines so far. We were also treated to some more single vineyard Hermitage and a top Cote Rotie – again at €100+ a bottle thanks but no thanks!

Tomorrow we’re off to Burgundy. Quick stop in the Macon for some value then on to Meusault for some grown up white Burgundy. Then we arrive in Beaune for a couple of days where the great Pinot Noir gets some exploration… Can’t bloody wait!